Trump Blasts CNN’s Kaitlan Collins After UN Press Clash

Trump attacks CNN anchor Kaitlan Collins and the network as “TRUMP” addicts after questioning why barred reporters covered him at the United Nations General Assembly.

First Published: September 23, 2026, 12:01 AM ET

WASHINGTON D.C. — Donald J. Trump attacked CNN anchor Kaitlan Collins and the network in a post that questioned why reporters he had barred were still covering him at the United Nations.

Trump ridiculed Collins as a “Third Rate” reporter and called CNN and MSNBC “addicted” to him. The post escalated a fight over press access that began when his administration barred several outlets from the White House. It followed a confrontation earlier that day in the press area at the United Nations General Assembly. Trump told reporters he was “surprised” CNN was covering him and that it “shouldn’t be here” after he banned the outlet along with MS Now and Politico from the White House last week, according to theguardian.

Here is the full post on truthsocial: “All of the SLEAZEBAGS, like Third Rate “Reporter,” Kaitlan Collins, of Fake News CNN, a truly unhappy person, said they weren’t going to be covering me. Then why were they ranting and raving like Lunatics, in the Press Area, at the United Nations? Why was she there? She’s got a “TRUMP” addiction, and so does CNN and MSDNC. They’re all sick, treasonous, and demented! The “good news” is that they have a great, for them, and totally disloyal Judge. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! Trump” on September 22, 2026 at 11:53 PM ET.

This is Trump’s fourth message released today, and the last post was 5 hours ago, and it is not part of a thread. On average, Trump produces 18 posts per day since his inauguration on January 20, 2025. The move fits a broader pattern in Trump’s recent messaging, with 20 of his 543 posts over the last 30 days classified as media bias posts.

The clash came the same day Trump addressed world leaders in New York. Trump said U.S. and Iranian officials met on the sidelines of the assembly, and he threatened to “annihilate” the Islamic Republic if a deal is not reached to end the nearly seven-month war, according to pbs. Trump told reporters his envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner met with Iranian officials, describing it as “a very good meeting.”

Collins and CNN have been repeated targets of the administration. The White House lists Collins among reporters it labels “Media Offenders,” accusing the press corps of ignoring the Artemis II crew after their trip around the moon, according to whitehouse.gov. Tension also surfaced in a briefing where press secretary Karoline Leavitt and Collins argued over coverage of the Iran conflict and the six U.S. service members who died since the operation started, according to washingtonexaminer.

The friction predates the UN exchange. At the White House Correspondents’ Dinner earlier this year, Trump singled out Collins and mocked an award she won for reporting on a February 2025 Oval Office confrontation between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, according to salon. The dinner took place at a hotel Trump once owned, and reporters remained seated during the remarks, according to salon.